Draft gear



H. C. PRIEBE DRAFT GEAR Oct. 9 1923.

Filed July 23. 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lul K Oct. 9 1923. v 1,470,286

H. c. PRIIEBE DRAFT GEAR Filed July 23 1921 2 sheflts sheet 2 dill eff

Patented @ct. 9, lhZIi.

HERMAN G. PRIEBE, 01? BLUE ISLAND, ILLINOIS.

DRAFT GEAR.

Application filed July 23,

Tool! whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, lHERMAN C. PRIEBE, citizen of the United States, residing at Blue Island, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Draft Gears, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description.

My invention relates to draft gears by which railway cars are. coupled in trains. These draft gears employ springs throu h which the draft strains are exerted. ll y invention has been specifically embodied in draft gears of the non-friction type or socalled spring draft gear type, but the invention is not to be so limited.

The invention has for its general object the provision of a construction whereby springs of increased length or size may be disposed within the coupler yoke of a draft gear.

In carrying out my invention centering de vices are employed which enter the ends of the bore of each main draft gear spring to permit such spring directly to engage the follower or other element whose motion is to be resisted by the spring to cushion the coupler blows and pulls.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the coupler yoke of a draft gear is assembled with center sills by means of keys which pass through suchcoupler yoke and the centersills. springs being disposed longitudinally of the line of draft between'these keys that are engaged by the springs and thus also serve as follower plates. There are desirably three main springs that are thus engaged with the keys or follower plates, the center sills being between two of these springs and the third spring being between the center sills. Centering devices are assembled with the keys or other follower plates and enter the bores of the springs so as to prevent the dislodgement of the springs and permit of the engagement thereof with the keys. The centering. devices upon the outer sides of the center sills may be provided with elongated eyes through which the keys are passed and which are maintained in assembly with the keys by means of cotter pins passing through the keys upon the outer sides of the eyes. The centering devices which are between l'he center sills. instead of being provided with eyes, are desirably formed with lJ-shaped' stems with the sides of the We 1921. Serial No. 487,170.

disposed in upright planes, the keys being passed between the sides of the Us so that the centering devices are prevented from being vertically disposed. The centering devices are prevented from horizontal displacement by having the lJ-shaped stems thereof slidingly received within grooves or slots formed upon the interiorof the coupler yoke and extending lengthwise of the gear. That is, the centering devices between the center sills and the coupler yoke surrounding the same are in tongue and groove engagement.

Supplemental springs may, if desired, be disposed within the main springs to have direct engagementwith the devices that center the main springs, the effect of these supplemental springs being transmitted to the keys through the centering devices. There are novel characteristics of the spring centering devices that are between the center sills which are of service when these centering devices are themselves used as spring seats and these spring seats are not thereforeto be limited in all embodiments of the invention, to their spring centering function.

T will explain my invention more fully by reference to the accompanying drawings showing the preferred embodiment thereof and in which Fig. 1 is a plan view taken partially in section on line 1-1 of Fig. 2; Fig. 2 is a sectional view on line 22 of Fig. 1 Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4: is a detail view of a part of the structure as it appears in Fig. 2. other parts being removed for the sake of clearness; F 5 is a sectional view on line 55 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the inner end of a coupler yoke, a centering device for assembly there with, and a part of the associate key.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the different figures.

In the form of the inventionillustrated, the coupler stem 1 and the coupler yoke 2 are assembled by means of a horizontal key 3 which passes through slots 4; at the outer end of the coupler yoke and through slots 5 in the center or longitudinal sills 6. The inner end of the coupler stem 1 constitutes a coupler butt 7 that abuts against the bridge portion 8 of the coupler yoke which is extended outwardly beyond this bridge portion to provide assembly slots 47 in the yoke. The

yoke is also formed with horizontal slots 9 and 10 at the ends thereof, these slotted portions or the yoke being surrounded by the yoke enclosing space. Horizontal keys 11 and 12 pass through these slots 9 and 10 and through slots 13 and let in the center sills. These keys serve to prevent vertical displacement of the yoke and as the slots 13 and let are longer than the keys are wide, such keys may play back and forth in the center sills in response to pulling and pushing draft strains exerted upon the coupler. The center sills are reinforced by check plate 15 and 16 which are bolted thereto, these cheek plates, in conjunction with the center sills, receiving the force of the blows and strains in'iparted to the keys 11 and 12.

Heavy longitudinal coiled springs 17 and 18 are located between the keys 11 and 12 at the outer ends of these keys, the center sills being between these springs. The springs are centered and assembled with the keys by means of the centering devices 19 and 20 associated with each spring. The centering devices 19 havecircular base portions which are only slightly less in diameter than the diameter of the bores of the springs so as to position these springs each at one end thereof. The centering devices 20 have circular base portions which are similarly related to the other ends of the springs. These base portions of the centering devices are carried upon eyes 21 and 22 that surround the keys 11 and 12 and which are held upon the keys by means of cotter pins 23 and 24 that prevent endwise dislodgment of said eyes. The centering devices not only perform the function stated but also permit the employment of longer springs since the keys are directly engaged by the springs where they surround the centering devices. In this way the travel of vided with the centering devices of my invention may be increased. Lighter springs 25 and 26 are shown as being enclosed by the heavier springs and when these lighter springs are used they themselves are preterably centered by means of the tubular extensions 27, 28 of the centering elements 19 and 20, these tubular extensions entering the lighter springs at the ends thereofand close ly approximating the diameters of the bores of these springs. Each tubular extension has a continuation 29 that enters the bore of the corresponding tubular extension 27 for the purpose of maintaining alignment'ot the tubular extensions 27 and 28 so that the spring positioning devices may interact to maintain them in suitable relation and to keep the springs in suitable position. b

Another heavy longitudinal coiled spring 30 is interposed between the center sills and is also directly engageable with the keys 11 and 12. The ends of this spring are entered respectively by the cente'ringdevices a given draft gear pro-- 81 and which are circular and are just slightly less in diameter than the bore of the spring. The centering devices may also be inclusive of lighter springs 33 entering the bore of the spring 80 and engaging the parts :51 to hold these parts in assembly with the keys or followers ll and 12. Each centering device 51, has a stem formed in two spaced apart portions 3a that are in the form of fins disposed in the same upright plane. The space between the fins of each centerin device sui'hcient to permit of the passage therethrough of the corresponding key, each centering device being movable, in the process of assembly, longitudinally of the draft gear and crosswise of the corresponding key. This assembly of the centering devices with the keys keeps the springs 30 and from vertical displacement. In order to keep these springs from lateral displacement said centering devices have tongue and groove engagement with and within the coupler yoke, said yoke being formed with slots or grooves 35 and S6 eX- tending longitudinally of the gear, these grooves being in the spaces between the lugs 37 depending from the top side of the yoke and overlying the keys and the lugs 38 projecting upwardly from the bottom side 01" the yoke and underlying the keys. The assembly of the spring seats 31, 82 for the spring 38 with the keys and coupler yoke is thought to be novel irrespective of the capacity of each spring.

When the coupler is subject to sufiicient draft strains the various springs are compressed, the lighter springs being compressed between their seats while the heavier springs are compressed between the keys. fi ls illustrated, the heavier springs at the ends thereof which happen to be stationary, also have abutting engagement witl portions of the lugs 37 and 38. The grooves 35 and 36 are sutliciently long to retain the centering devices in assembly with the yoke in all longitudinal movements of the keys or follower plates longitudinally of the gear and with respect to the yoke.

While I have herein shown and particularly described the preferred embodiment otfiny invention I do not wish to be limited to the, precise details of construction shown as changes may readily be made without departing trom the spirit oi: my invention. but having thus described my invention I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentthe following A draft gear including a coupler yoke; longitudinal sills between which said yoke is disposed; followers surrounded by the yoke; a longitudinal spring engaging the followers; and centering devices upon the followers and entering the ends of the spring,said centering devices having longitudinal tongue and groove engagement with permitting movement of the cenof the yoke the yoke tering devices longitudinally while in assembly therewith.

2. A draft gear including a coupler yoke; longitudinal sills between which said yoke is disposed; followers surrounded by the yoke; a longitudinal spring engaging the followers; and centering devices upon the followers and entering the ends of the spring, said centering devices having longitudinal tongue and groove engagement with the yoke permitting movement of the centering devices longitudinally of the yoke while in assembly therewith, said centering devices also having portions overlying the followers.

3. A draft gear including a coupler yoke; longitudinal sills between which said yoke is disposed; followers surrounded by the yoke; a longitudinal spring engaging the followers; and centering devices upon the followers and entering the ends of the spring, said centering devices having longitudinal tongue and groove engagement with the yoke permitting movement of the centering devices longitudinally of the yoke while in assembly therewith, said centering devices also having portions overlying and underlying the followers.

l. A draft gear including a coupler yoke; longitudinal sills between which said yoke is disposed; followers surrounded by the yoke; a longitudinal spring engaging the followers; and spring seats upon the followers, said spring seats having longitudinal tongue and groove engagement with the yoke permitting movement of the spring longitudinally of the yoke while in assembly therewith.

5. A draft gear including a coupler yoke; longitudinal sills between which said yoke is disposed; followers surrounded by the yoke; a longitudinal spring engaging the followers; and spring seats upon the followers, said spring seats having longitudinal tongue and groove engagement with the yoke permitting movement of the spring scats longitudinally of the yoke while in assembly therewith, said spring seats also having portions overlying the followers.

6. A draft gear including a coupler yoke; longitudinal sills between which said yoke is disposed; followers surrounded by the yoke; a longitudinal spring engaging the followers; and spring seats upon the followers, said spring seats having longitudinal tongue and groove engagement with the yoke permitting movement of the spring seats longitudinally of the yoke while in assembly therewith. said spring seats also having portions overlying and underlying the followers.

7. A draft gear including a coupler yoke; longitudinal sills between which said yoke is disposed; a follower surrounded by the yoke; a longitudinal spring engaging the follower; and a centering device upon the follower and entering an end of the spring, said centering device having longitudinal tongue and groove engagement with the yoke and permitting movement of the centering device longitudinally of the yoke while in assembly therewith.

8. A draft gear including a coupler yoke; longitudinal sills between which said yoke is disposed; a follower surrounded by the yoke; a longitudinal spring engaging the follower; and a centering device upon the follower and entering an end of the spring, said centering device having longitudinal tongue and groove engagement with the yoke permitting movement of the centering device longitudinally of the yoke while in assembly therewith, said centering device also having a portion overlying the follower.

9. A draft gear including a coupler yoke; longitudinal sills between which said yoke is disposed; a follower surrounded by the yoke; a longitudinal spring engaging the follower; and a centering device upon the follower and entering an end of the spring, said centering device having longitudinal tongue and groove engagement with the yoke permitting movement of the centering device longitudinally of the yoke while in assembly therewith said centering device also having portions overlying and underlying the follower.

10. A draft gear including a coupler yoke; longitudinal sills between which said yoke is disposed; a follower surrounded by the yoke; a longitudinal spring engaging the follower; and a spring seat upon the follower, said spring seat having longitudinal tongue and groove engagement with the yoke permitting movement of the spring seat longitudinally of the yoke while in as sembly therewith.

11. A draft gear including a coupler yoke; longitudinal sills between which said yoke is disposed; a follower surrounded by the yoke; a longitudinal spring engaging the follower; and a spring seat upon the follower, said spring seat having longitudinal tongue and groove engagement with the yoke permitting movement of the spring seat longitudinally of the yoke while in assembly therewith, said spring seat also having a portion overlying the follower.

12. A draft gear including a coupler yoke; longitudinal sills between which said yoke is disposed; a follower surrounded by the yoke; a longitudinal spring engaging the follower; and a spring seat upon the follower, said spring seat having longitudinal tongue and groove engagement with the yoke permitting movement of the spring seat longitudinally of the yoke while in assembly therewith, said spring seat also having portions overlying and underlying the follower.

13. A draft gear including a coupler yoke; longitudinal sills between which said yoke is disposed; followers surrounded by the yoke; a longitudinal spring engaging the followers; and centering devices upon the followers and entering the ends of the spring, said centering devices having longi tudinal tongue and groove engagement with the yoke permitting movement of the centering devices longitudinally of the yoke while in assembly therewith, said centering devices being inclusive of a spring received in the bore of the aforesaid spring and serving to maintain the centering devices in assembly with the followers.

14. A draft gear including a coupler yoke; longitudinal sills between which said yoke is disposed; a follower surrounded by the yoke; a longitudinal spring engaging the follower; and a centering device upon the follower and entering an end of the spring, said centering device having longitudinal tongue and groove engagement with the yoke and permitting movement of the centering device longitudinal of the yoke while in assembly therewith said centering device being inclusive of a spring received in the bore of the aforesaid spring and serving to maintain the centering device in assembly with the follower.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 30th day of June A. D., 1921.

HERMAN C. PRIEBE. 

